Steelers odd stats: Pittsburgh puts up some unusual numbers vs Broncos

The Steelers finally broke out of their offensive slumber against the Broncos. Here are some of Pittsburgh’s very unusual stats this week. 

They controlled the game’s tempo handily as Najee Harris certainly had a career day as he passed the century mark on the ground for the first time in his NFL career. Also, it was the first time since 12/10/1983 that someone named ‘Harris’ rushed for over 100 yards in a game for the Steelers.

So far this season Denver’s only two losses have come to AFC North opponents, and they lost last week to Baltimore and in Week five against Pittsburgh. In week six, Denver plays Baltimore.  To date, Denver has never lost more than two games to an AFC opponent on any one season. However, Cleveland could realistically become the first AFC North team to give Denver more than three losses to an AFC North team in one season.

Steelers on a roll

Najee’s rushing performance against the Broncos is now the fourth consecutive October home game against Denver in which the Steelers either individually or collectively rushed more than 100 yards. Adding insult to injury, In the first four weeks of the season, Denver had not allowed one running back to rush for more than 60 plus yards until this game.

Big Ben Does it again

Ben Roethlisberger had at least two passes Sunday of 50 plus yards. When was the last time that occurred? You need to return to week 10 of the 2018 season when they passed the Carolina Panthers 52-21. In that game, JuJu Smith-Schuster had a 75-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter, and Antonio Brown followed that up with a 53-yard touchdown reception.

Odder Still

The Bronco’s game is the 3rd straight game against Denver that Ben Roethlisberger has thrown a pass of more than 50 yards. In 2020 Big Ben hit Chase Claypool for an 84-yard strike. In 2018 Big Ben hit JuJu Smith-Schuster for a 97-yard strike.  This is also Claypool’s 2nd consecutive reception of 50 plus yards against Denver.

Gold Anniversary milestone

Sunday’s game against the Bronco’s marked the 50th game in Steelers history that they had a 7-3 lead as the 1st quarter ended.

In conjunction with the milestone, the Steelers then scored 10 points in the 2nd quarter, and the Bronco’s scored only another field goal, and the Steelers ended the 1st half 17-6. That score is not unordinary. However, what made the score unusual was how the Steelers arrived at 17 points by the end of the 2nd quarter.

The Steelers had seven points in the first quarter and ten points in quarter number 2, with the Broncos scoring three points in each quarter.  It was the first game since 2000 at Jacksonville and the first time was 1983 at Baltimore against the Colts. It is the first home game this occurred.

A bit more Bizzare

Adding to that, the Steelers had a 24-6 lead after three quarters. The last time that occurred was 9/26/2010 on the road at Tampa Bay.

But what gives it an odder twist is the number of games the Steelers have had a lifetime in which they had a 24-6 lead after three quarters. That number is six! After Sunday’s victory, the Steelers now improve to 7-0 lifetime with a 24-6 lead after three quarters.

The Steelers now host the Seahawks in a primetime game in week six. Anytime the Seahawks face the Steelers, there are sure to be plenty of unusual statistics pop up.